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    Columbus Makes Art Presents Writer Brooke Preston Taking on the 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor Award Show


    Brooke Preston

    “Whether youā€™re a comedy fan, book fan or just a fan of doing unique things in Columbus, do not miss this show. Thereā€™s really nothing else like it in the Midwest.”

    ā€” Brooke Preston, head writer for the Thurber Prize

    Brooke Preston is a head writer for Thurber Houseā€™s 22ndĀ  Thurber Prize for American Humor, one of the highest recognitions of humor writing in the United States, to be awarded this year on April 28. By day, she is Associate Director of Creative Strategy for her alma mater, Ohio University, where she is also finishing her Masterā€™s in communication degree next month. By her own admission, Brooke doesnā€™t sleep much.

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    ZoĆ«: You come from a very fun and humorous corner of the writing/literary world. Given that this show is produced solely for the recognition of humor work, how do you think your background affects your creative processā€” and what is your creative process when approaching such an uncommon writing project like this?
    Brooke: As a humor writer and author, I have long admired Thurber House and the litany of absolute comedy titans who make up the pool of past Thurber Prize winners and finalists. Just an absolute Murdererā€™s Row of brilliant and funny writers, like the 1927 Yankees, except a few more women, finally. So to be associated now with this show and to get to write for some of these living legends is unbelievably fun and gratifying.

    My approach is: ā€œdonā€™t ruin this prestigious prize,ā€ and so far that gripping fear has served me well. I try to balance the importance and gravitas a ceremony and prize of this magnitude should carry, with the fact that we are the only prize for literary humor of our kind, so we should also lean into that and be irreverent.

    ZoĆ«: Last year was the first year that the production of this show really ramped up and started from a blank canvas and had a full creative team to back it. Now being a returning writer this year, what lens would you say youā€™re now approaching this yearā€™s show through?
    Brooke: This is my third year having the privilege to be a head writer for the show. The first was actually the Zoom year due to COVID. Going from that to a full-out Tonyā€™s style production in the Lincoln Theatre with dancers and set dressings was mind-blowing and thrilling. Standing on the stage after the show and hearing Mike Birbiglia (a comedian and writer whose work I adore) praise the production and writing effusively was a career highlight.

    Each obviously presents different challenges and opportunities. This year, weā€™re blowing it out even bigger in the Southern, an even larger theater, on the heels of the successful and award-winning production last year. In a way, the pressureā€™s off because we know we can pull off a show of that caliber and thereā€™s an appetite for it in Columbus; the reception was so positive and our amazing city deserves a world class show! But in another way, the pressure is on to top last year, learn from it and make everything feel fresh. But thatā€™s a challenge that makes me excited to get out of bedā€“or, more realistically, get in bed with my laptop and type up my silly little sketches under my heated blanket.

    ZoĆ«: Can you describe what the Thurber Prize is going to look like this year compared to last year and what brand of humor weā€™ll get to see in the show?
    Brooke: One amazing addition is that my friend and satire superstar Riane Konc has joined me as co-head writer this year. Everything she writes is like the best satire youā€™ve ever read; sheā€™s truly one of the greats. And sheā€™s also just a fantastic human being, as is everyone involved with the show this year. That creative chemistry is already yielding big laughs and some big swings in the writerā€™s room that I canā€™t wait to see play out onstage.

    Brooke Preston and Laurie Lathan.

    ZoĆ«: You typically write a lot as a satirist for, well, I think, every major publication out there, and most notably in my book, you are a founder of The Belladonna Comedy site and co-author of ā€œNew Erotica For Feminists.ā€ What was it that drew you to do an award show?
    Brooke: Living in Columbus and trying to balance my comedy work, work work and mom life, my comedy career isnā€™t going to look the same as a 24-year-old in New York or LA. Iā€™ve come to terms with that and have learned to chart my own path. In fact, thatā€™s what drew me more to writing over stand-up, or other traditional comedy forms (though I do have some sketch, improv and storytelling background): I could do it from anywhere, on a flexible schedule, in a safe environment. Thurber House really took me in and gave me a literary and comedy home as a teacher, event host and friend ā€“ but my lifetime love of awards shows and pageants makes this my all-time favorite Thurber activity. Itā€™s a dream come true, and all the better to do it right here in Columbus. If youā€™re reading this and you produce an awards show, please call me, I will write for all of them. As long as they donā€™t conflict with this one, which is my baby.

    Zoƫ: As a creative who has mainly worked in the writer-sphere, how do you hope to grow as a creative through your work on The Thurber Prize?
    Brooke:  The live show aspect for me is always thrilling and scary, because a satire writer can usually make editsā€“sometimes even after a piece is published, you know, a typo or outdated reference could be struck retroactively from a digital publication. But this show is done once, so it has to be done on deadlineā€“and it takes a village. And this village of the Thurber Prize creative team is world class. I just try to be around them all as much as possible hoping all the talent and professionalism will rub off, or at least someone will see me with them and I will look cool by association.

    Also, I loved hearing the audience laugh at things I wrote last yearā€“we donā€™t often get to experience that immediate reaction of our audience in writing.

    Zoƫ: What part of the show are you most excited about? Can you give us a sneak peek of what to expect?
    Brooke: I always love writing the lyrics for the big opening number. Who gets to have a big, full-throated opening number with kicklines and jazz hands? The Tonyā€™s and us, thatā€™s who, baby!

    Zoƫ: There seems to be a small but mighty scene of writers here in Columbus. What would you say is the best thing about the Columbus arts/writing scene right now?
    Brooke: Iā€™d say itā€™s diversity, in every sense. There isnā€™t just one genre or type of writer succeeding or putting great work into the world and itā€™s wonderful. You have Hanif, Saeed. Maggie Smith. Scott Woods (who I had the honor of writing this show with last year). And incredible independent bookstores and outlets lifting them up and shining a light, like Two Dollar Radio, or the Book Loft, or Gary Lovely at Prologue Books. I am hoping by name-checking these people they will want to maybe hang out sometime? That would be one incredible brunch.

    Zoƫ: Any final comments?
    Brooke:  Whether youā€™re a comedy fan, book fan or just a fan of doing unique things in Columbus, do not miss this show. Thereā€™s really nothing else like it in the Midwest and it will be a great chance to get dressed up and have an amazing night of live entertainment close to home. And supporting organizations like Thurber House keep books and thoughts and nuanced ideas top of mind which is so important in our state and country now more than ever.

    The 22nd Thurber Prize will be awarded on April 28, 2023. Visit thurberprize.org to get tickets, learn more about the event, sponsorship opportunities and joining the host committeeā€”and don’t miss exciting content on our Thurber Prize Instagram page (@thurberprize).

    Columbus Makes Art Presents is a bi-weekly column brought to you by the Greater Columbus Arts Council ā€“ supporting and advancing the arts and cultural fabric of Columbus. The column is a project of the Art Makes Columbus campaign, telling the inspiring stories of the people and organizations who create Columbus art. Learn more about local artists, organizations, public art and events at ColumbusMakesArt.com.

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    Zoe Lathan
    Zoe Lathanhttps://www.cranestudio.co/
    Zoƫ Lathan is supervising producer for the 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor.
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